A smaller crop of grapes, but potentially full of flavour, has been forecast by Orange vignerons who are battling the heat and the drought just weeks out from harvest.
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Vineyard owners said the grapes were looking good on many vines despite the lack of rain and the ongoing tough conditions.
Montoro Wines owner Bob Derrick said the grapes were developing well at his Cargo Road winery.
"It is looking very good," he said.
"We're maintaining a good canopy cover. Canopy management is what all vignerons should be doing.
"We don't water, we can, but we don't."
Mr Derrick said he expected the harvest would be picked on time in the first week of March.
"Ten years ago I would have been picking in April. The picking date is coming forward more and more."
He said the Orange's elevation was helping protect the grapes from the drought and other threats, unlike grapes in Bathurst which have suffered from the drought to the point vineyards are facing a lean year.
Mr Derrick said rain was still hoped for but he did not want thunderstorms.
"We need steady, soaking rain," he said.
Mortimers Wines owner Peter Mortimer said the drought had at least reduced the risk of diseases to the grapes at his March winery.
He is predicting a smaller crop of about 40 per cent less volume than last year.
"The [bunch] count is down. The fruit will be outstanding, but smaller volumes," he said.
Mr Mortimer said the fruit was ripening quickly and he expected to start picking in late February.
"We desperately need some water in the next month to keep the leaves healthy," he said.
"Grapes don't take much water although there is the matter of keeping them alive."
Up on Mount Canobolas De Salis Wines owner Charlie Svenson said his crops and the ground had gained moisture from snow falls and rain last winter.
"We haven't irrigated this year and we didn't irrigate last year," he said.
I know some people will struggle to get a crop off.
- Charlie Svenson, De Salis Wines
"In general the mountain gets about 25 per cent more [rainfall than Orange], Mr Svenson said.
However, he said he was already planning for the next 12-18 months to ensure they had enough water for future crops.
He said since the end of 2016 when the region had a wet winter they had seen little rain which had meant there had been little runoff to fill dams.
Mr Svenson said 30-40 millimetres of rain would be handy now, but he needed to be planning longer-term.
He said he expected to start picking in late February-early March.
"We will have a narrow harvest window. It will go very quickly," he said.
Mr Svenson said the yields would vary across Orange region vineyards.
"I suppose it depends on where you are in the region. I know some people will struggle to get a crop off while others will have [plenty]," he said.
Phillip Shaw Wines managing director Damian Shaw said they were seeking to make quality wine despite the tough, dry conditions.
"Without a doubt it's a reflection of three dry winters and not a lot of water available," he said.
"Our crops will be down. We're managing it [knowing] our crops are going to be low."
Mr Shaw said the weather and conditions would play a key role in the next few weeks with the uncertainty of rain, hot temperatures and bushfire smoke.
He said harvesting could be "a week, 10 days" earlier than last year.